BS in Entrepreneurial Studies Degree Online & Campus

Q: Is entrepreneurship a career?

Yes. Entrepreneurs create their own jobs and businesses, rather than seeking them out. They may also create jobs and opportunities for other people. While this career path can be challenging, especially in the beginning, it may offer independence and flexibility that could be viewed as rewarding.

Overview

Prepare To Transform Your Ideas Into Business Ventures

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Entrepreneurial Studies from Grand Canyon University may empower you to turn your ideas into functional businesses. In entrepreneurial studies classes, you will have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to take a business idea from conception through funding and development.

Offered by the Colangelo College of Business, this degree is ideally suited to individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset, although the core business competencies taught here may also support the career goals of intrapreneurs and those who enjoy working in startup environments.

Collaborative skills and hands-on learning activities are focal points in this business degree. Small learning groups provide opportunities for future entrepreneurs to network and create vital business relationships. Peers and faculty alike may act as mentors and sounding boards for creative idea generation and business proposal development.

Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Campus

Online

Tuition Rate

Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]

Online: $485 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
3.0+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Why GCU

Pursue Your Entrepreneurial Studies Degree From GCU

As an entrepreneurial studies major, you can become immersed within a modern curriculum that teaches you how to tackle modern problems in business. Examine a wide range of competencies that are central to the startup environment — from concept ideation to marketing to finance and beyond. There is a focus on servant leadership and ethical decision-making in all our degree programs, and you will work through faith-integrated courses that encourage you to model a Christ-like character.

Campus students may also access the IDEA Club Marketplaces, Canyon Challenge Business Plan Competitions and insights from the Angel Investor Group with our Canyon Angels team. This includes students leading due diligence into startup companies from across the country that are raising capital from our accredited investors.

Online Learning for Busy Professionals

Earn This Degree on Campus

Coursework

Explore Key Skills for Building Your Own Business

This degree program teaches the core areas and skills that are typically needed to establish, develop and run any type of business. You can benefit from the instruction and knowledge of your professors, who will guide you in examining the crucial business practices and skills needed to be a professional entrepreneur.

Some of the competencies you will be taught include the following:

Developing novel product and services to solve unmet human needs
Using design theory to identify and solve practical problems
Developing business opportunities through networking and long-term connections
Creating mission-driven concepts to benefit both the business and society
Making technology work to scale ventures appropriately
Finding funding to bring new ideas to life
Communicating using effective oral and written strategies
Applying descriptive and inferential statistics in business
Understanding consumer behavior and marketing research
Exploring managerial concepts and strategies
Navigating legal and ethical issues in business

Study Idea Cultivation and Business Law

Entrepreneurship generally involves striking out on one’s own to solve problems. As an entrepreneurial studies major, you will be taught coursework that can prepare you to be well-rounded in any business field. An entrepreneur usually oversees all aspects of their business, especially in early stages. As a graduate of this program, you will have been taught to understand business practices from the ground up.

Coursework in the entrepreneurial studies degree focuses on:

Public relations

Operations management

Finance and accounting

Business laws

Human resources

Marketing

Work environments and culture

Ethical leadership

Entrepreneurial Studies Emphases

In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies, the Colangelo College of Business is pleased to offer other entrepreneurial emphases to our students.

Engineering Management

Technology Management

Careers

Career Paths for Entrepreneurial Studies Majors

This entrepreneurial studies degree program is designed to teach a wide range of business competencies and transferable skills. You will have the opportunity to become technologically savvy, well-rounded in business knowledge and a persistent lifelong learner.

While many may end up working for themselves, individuals with strong business competencies may also find themselves in a variety of roles, such as that of a chief executive or general and operations manager.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If entrepreneurism is your calling, read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about starting your career as an entrepreneur and earning your business degree from GCU.

What is an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs are people who see a need in society and find a way to fill that void. They may create a tangible product or an intangible service to help the people they have defined as their target market. They are not afraid to try and fail, for every wrong turn gives them insight and answers to their work. With this, they use courage and a willingness to embrace change. They are independent and in need of strong and supportive teams. If this description resonates with you, perhaps you should consider an entrepreneurial-focused degree.

Is entrepreneurship a career?

Is entrepreneurship a major?

Yes, entrepreneurship, or entrepreneurial studies, is an option as a major. These degrees explore a broad range of business and business management-related topics such as finance, marketing and economics that can prove useful for those looking to start their own businesses. As an entrepreneurship major, you will work to gain knowledge of communications, public relations and ethical and legal business practices. You will also touch on entrepreneurship-specific topics such as business concept ideation and entrepreneurial problem-solving.

What can I do with an entrepreneurial studies degree?

A degree in entrepreneurship could open the door to opportunities for you to start a career in various industries while also teaching the knowledge and skills needed to help start your own business. This degree is designed to prepare you to be a well-rounded business professional. In addition to pursuing a career as an entrepreneur, you might consider roles in business analytics, recruitment, management, business consulting and others.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements34-40 credits

Major60 credits

Open Elective Credits20-26 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

General Education Requirements

General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.

Competency

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.

Competency

9-12 Total Credits

Competency

4 Total Credits

Competency

11-12 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments (mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, physical geography, ecology, economics, theology, logic, philosophy, technology, statistics, accounting, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of intermediate algebra or higher.

Competency

6-8 Total Credits

Course Description

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, cross-cultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course.

Core Courses

BIT-200

4 Total Credits

ENT-436

4 Total Credits

MKT-315

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces models and practices used by contemporary marketers in fast-paced, dynamic, domestic and global markets, including the marketing concept and processes for developing, implementing, and assessing the effectiveness of marketing plans. Building from a foundational understanding of consumer behavior and marketing research, students examine the development and implementation of marketing mix strategies and tactics with an emphasis of how marketing integrates within all aspects of business.

BUS-352

4 Total Credits

ACC-240

4 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, students examine basic accounting concepts and explore how accounting information assists business leaders in making financial decisions that increase profitability and contribute to competitive advantage. There is specific emphasis on the analysis of financial statements in the business decision-making process, budgeting, and factors businesses must consider when determining appropriate pricing of goods and services. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144, MAT-154, or higher subsequent math course.

ECN-361

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the fundamental ideas of microeconomics. Students examine the market forces of supply and demand under different market structures in order to understand how economic agents make decisions about both consumption and production. The structure, conduct, and performance of markets are evaluated through analysis of consumer, producer, and societal welfare. Students explore the topic of factor markets in which the incomes of most workers and owners of capital and property are determined. Prerequisites: ACC-240 or ACC-250 and BUS-352.

ENT-320

4 Total Credits

MGT-455

4 Total Credits

ECN-362

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on the national economy by examining macroeconomic data measuring national income, the cost of living, production and growth, and unemployment. Students examine the basic functions of the monetary system and analyze the macro economy in terms of long-run economic productivity and growth and in terms short-run fluctuations. The influence and effect of macroeconomic policy is studied within the context of current events. Prerequisite: ECN-361.

FIN-350

4 Total Credits

BUS-340

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course is a comprehensive study of the legal and ethical issues of concern to business, including those areas of the U.S. legal system that are most relevant to business, such as the law of torts, strict liability, intellectual property, and contract law. It explores the role of ethics and values in business decision making and approaches these subjects from the perspective of the stakeholders as opposed to an economic interpretation of the firm and its responsibilities.

ENT-446

4 Total Credits

MGT-420

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Drawing upon real-world management situations, this course is a study of individual and group behavior in organizations through detailed coverage of the functions of management, individual differences/diversity, leadership, motivation, decision making, organizational design, and organizational change and development. Emphasis is placed on how an understanding of organizational behavior leads to effective management practice.

ENT-420

4 Total Credits

BUS-485

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing-intensive course is built around a team-based simulation requiring a high level of peer interaction and collaboration and serves as the capstone experience in business and management, introducing students to functional, business, and corporate strategy from the perspective of a strategy analyst. Tools and techniques are applied to the student’s previous knowledge of accounting, finance, management, analytics, marketing, economics, entrepreneurship, and leadership acquired through their individual programs of study. Students integrate strategic analysis to demonstrate mastery of a wide variety of business domains. Prerequisites: MGT-420 or MGT-422HN; FIN-210 or FIN-350; and MKT-245 or MKT-315.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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